Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-08-18
My Cousin Dorothy.


built 1t is huge stone pile, with steer
gothic roof, picturesque gables, and long, mar
row doors quantity adorned, and now mellow.
ed with the softening tints of years. About
it rise great age-crowned oak, green in sum.
mer, russell in autumn; and in the thick grass
wild flowers bloom abuudantly for the soil is
still virgin.
As family, the Lyntons have always been
much respected, for around them yet fingers
faint and Undesirable charm of d-time
distinction, which seems quite independent OF
ordinary circumstances in life.
Roderck Lynton has become so entirely
Injured to his solitary existence, that no one
dreamed of any other condition as at all posi-
Die for him. He was already a middle-aged
man, when, CHANGING to meet blue-eyed mite
of woman and quite losing his heart, he mar
red her, his own, and also my, cousin Doro-
thy.
Ever since was so small that my head just
showed itself above the wheat fields that used
to creep almost up to the house on its south
ern side, until now, woman grown, l look
back upon it all, and my cousin Dorothy's
beautiful home has possessed for me,a change
less fascination. And with her, whose special
pet and protege l have been, much of my
young and quiet life was passed. Indeed my
own home, which Is in busy and opulent city
lying cast of and rather remote from drowsy
Ernscliff, has never so powerfully attracted
my interest as has this abode OF my Cousins,
and think my stepmother, in the midst of
her growing and ro!ltcking family, has kindly
rcjoiced in the fortunate circumstances which
so frequently made me the guest of the Lyn-
tons.
Between their house and the village flows a
broad stream, which breaks in a superb cas-
cade over high ledge of messy rocks and
falls with a dull murmur into white, spongy
foam under the windows Of tall mill leaning
above it, On its western bank out of embow-
erlng trees, peeps the pretty village, beyond
which the ground, gently rising swclls at last
into softly rounded hills. The massive stone
bridge arching the stream lends touch of
antique effect, that apparently removes Ems
cliff from the company Of its busy compeers
and makes it seem rather medimval than
American. Yet, Ernscliff is daughter of
lovely Iowa. whose veins thrill with the breezy
life of the West, and whose soul is filled with |
the rcsistless force of the Nineteenth Gem |
turv
The house Of Rodcrick Lynton, the cxtrav-
hgant freak Of au elderly brother from whom
1t descended to him, is large, ro)my, and, |
since my cousin Dorothy is childcss lily suit
ed to the use Of two people growing old to-
gether. Its numerous aud spacious apart
ments have extremely high ceilings; the long, |
narrow windows are mullOncd, and the stair
way leading to the third story, IN which the |
rooms, though quite UNFINISHED, are kept |
faultlessIy clean. The most mysterious aud |
delightful Of closets dark, and oakcn, are
hidden away in doors of massive oak OF |
oak, too, are the wide unexpected places all |
over the house, and were once the dear Terra |
InCognta" Of my childhouI.
Slow, even ungainly in his movements, large
and not handsome, Mr.. Lynton has the softest |
dark eyes and the tcndcreG. heart have ever
found In the possession Of q man, and in his |
view the most beautiful, the most precious OF
earthly gifts, is his wife, so small and trim
that she appears almost doll-lkc.
How shall | paint her my cousin Dorothyl
Blue-cyed, rosy, with long light brown hair
coled plainly round her head, warm, impctu.
Gus, devoted, at heart perpetual fountain of
love, but perycrscly bubbling over at Lip with
tiny veXations aud harmless and evanescent
bursts of anger that served to amuse those who
loved her. OF Southern birth, she had the
inbred instincts and the inherited traditions
of her race. Though she was most dcvotcdly
attached to her husband she was too woman
ly to tyrannze over him. Contrasts in all
other respects, they were likewise of differing
political and religious views. For while
my cousin Dorothy was a stern and unyeld-
ing PRESBYTERIAN, she was a faithful advocate
of Democratic doctrines. But Rodcrck, her
husband, though of Puritan stock houorcd
and known in Colonial days, was an admirer
OF the rites aud ceremonies of the Episcopal
faith, and a most ardent believer in what was
then beginning to be called aboltiOnism. But
TO the credit of both must add that each too
sincerely respected the other to permit these
differences in the faintcst degree to obtrude
themselves Extensively.
was not quite sixteen when ! spent in
Ernsciif that summer which stands out in nv
memory as nothing else can ever do. The
great Rebellion was sweeping over the land,
and even Ensclif, though remote from its
central strength listened with lcaping heart
TO the story Of the war. | could hardly uu-
derstand the import of /: all, but, as became
loyal Iowan, followed with intense Interest
the fortunes Of the boys in blue.
had reached the village early in the morn
Ing, but, unable to resist the murmur of the
tumbling waterfall, had spent much of the
day in certain well remembered rambles.
Here, my dear" said nv cousin, as she
went lightly before me that night as was
about to retire, II think you must make lit
tie change this time in your ROOM
But l would like my dear old snuggery
best, Cousin" began.
Marjorie" she answered, opening the door
OF room as she spoke, "a am having some
repairs made in your old chamber. You need
not mind being so far from us. Catherine
sleeps just across the hall. You are not timld,
dearn'
"Of course not, Cousin Dorothy; what has
any one to fear at ErnscliT!"
She gave little sigh, and, holding up her
candle critically surveyed the room
Its sweet and fresh as new mown hay,"
said. For her houscw!lcry was of the dainti-
est, always.
She laid her smooth cheek to mine, pattlng
my hand gently as she did So
81 think you might lock your door" she
said, with nervousness quite rare in her
you SANDER dear old ErnscliT" | said,
'nobody ever used to lock doors here Should
grow suspecting and cowardly now9"
vi course not, my darling" answered. Mrs.
lynton. "What silly old woman am, to
be sure" She bert down and left me with a
loving kiss. But at the door she paused, and,
looking hack, said: Il must lie nervous after
all. shall s Yep better il you humor an old
wom rs within and lock your door-good-
night, u~"i.'
This caution upon her part amused me for
moment Then, that she might sleep with
out anxiety, rapidly dsrobcd, and going to
the door, turned the key. Unfortunately, in
stead Of locking the door, | simply loosened
the key, which a moment later fell in the folds
Of the wrapper wore, and though l CROPPED
about for it, failed to find it.
''Nonsensel Pm not going to strike a light
to find the slippery thing" muttercd, as !
YEARLY crept into bed. fancIed that Mrs.
Lynton Was a little out OF sorts, and wondered
why she was so, but tired with my journey
soon abandoned all speculatiOns and fell
asleep
1t was warm May night, and suppose 1t
must have been the clear white moonlight fall
ing across my face that awakened me. / sat
upright with strong, but utterly baseless